Elsberry License Office open for bid

The contracts for the majority of 182 Missouri license offices will soon be up for renewal; providing interested individuals and groups with an opportunity to operate one or more of the license offices located throughout the state.

All of the license offices were put out for bid under the competitive procurement process in 2009. Contracts were awarded for one year with three one-year renewal options. The move toward a competitive procurement process of the license offices overhauled the way local motor vehicle and driver’s license offices are awarded and was one of the first actions of Gov. Jay Nixon’s administration.

“This is an opportunity for qualified individuals and groups to run a successful small business in Missouri,” said John Mollenkamp, acting director of the Department of Revenue.

Kathy Schilling, who has ran the Elsberry Branch for the last four-years explained that this now opens up the possibility for competition.

“It means I pretty much have to start over,” said Schilling. “Someone could bid on this location and essentially take over the office and although that may seem a little harsh, I do believe this is a fair process.”

When Schilling first took over, the Elsberry License office was only open three day’s a week. Since taking over the office, she has implemented a five-day a week operation, with two Saturday’s a month.

“I’ve tried to do better than what was here previously,” said Schilling. “Part of the job is adapting to the needs of the customers and I like to believe I have done that.”

Schilling said she plans on rebidding for the office. According to her, she has had good support from the community, but thinks she can still do more.

“I know there are still people driving to Troy and I understand that, but if there is a way for me to make additional changes to better help my customers needs, then that is what I am going to do,” said Schilling. “I plan on getting the word out even more in the rural area that I am here and they can come here for whatever they may need.”

Those that may want to bid must have an active Federal Employer Identification Number (FEIN). Additional information on the procurement process is available on the Department of Revenue’s website at License Office Bid Fact Sheet.

The Department of Revenue, through the Office of Administration, will post a Request for Proposal (RFP) for each of the license offices in the coming weeks. Interested bidders will have approximately four weeks to bid on operating any of the offices. Bids will be evaluated on areas such as expertise of the personnel proposed, methods proposed for performing the services and whether the individual or entity is a not-for profit, political subdivision, a Missouri Certified Minority Business Enterprise (MBE), a Women Business Enterprise (WBE) or a Missouri Service-Disabled Veteran Enterprise.

For more on this and other stories pick up your copy of The Elsberry Democrat today from one of our several locations. You can also sign up for the online edition by visiting http://elsberrydemocrat.com and clicking on Subscribe …

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